SQT {8}: Vlasic Family Time, Mama T, and a DIY Laptop

Seven Quick Takes

It’s been a good week.  I’ve picked out seven happy tidbits from the week to share.  For quicker takes, check out Kelly’s.

-1- Family Time by Vlasic 

For awhile we’ve tried to do a “sweet, sour, service” discussion as a family at dinner time.  With younger kids who are home all day…our answers don’t vary much from day to day.  It was time to mix it up a little.

I printed out a bunch of conversation starters, cut them into slips, and put them into an old pickle jar.  We pull out one each night and talk about it.  It’s interesting to get a peek into how our kids think.

I’m glad to put those Vlasic jars to use.  They’re so…sturdy.  It seems scandalous to throw them out, and we can’t recycle glass in our town.  But they smell like pickles, so we have to be careful what goes in there.   If you are local and need a giant pickle jar – – let me know. I’ve got you covered.  Then you can enjoy Vlasic Family Time, too!

Question Sources
50 Questions to Ask Kids
50 Family Dinner Conversation Starters
175 Conversation Starters for Family Discussions (this link contains some topics for older kids, so be sure to check this over before printing, or you could end up with some awkward dinners :))

-2- Mother Teresa Coloring Pages

Earlier this week I decided to forget the dishes and take 10 minutes to paint one of the pages that Katie at Look to Him and Be Radiant posted.  I love creating, but I’m not really creative.  Is that a thing?  Sitting down with a blank piece of paper is sort of overwhelming.  But sitting down with an adult coloring page is like art with training wheels – – all the fun without fear of falling off and skinning your knee.

Aside from having one of the best blog headers ever, Katie (who is a teacher) has some wonderful resources.  Awesome ideas for the Year of Mercy?  She’s got that.  The Creed as a tetris puzzle?  She’s got that, too.

 

 

 

 

-3- Joy on Two Legs

Look out, world.  Bea is walking!

-4- Hoopla

Hoopla, a site to listen to audio books, read ebooks, and watch movies online for free using your library card, has been an awesome way for me to get back into the habit of reading.  We’ve also loved listening to lots of children’s books as a family.  I can turn on some Beverly Cleary, get out the play doh, and have a few minutes peace. <3

Some people use Audible for audio books, but I haven’t tried it.  They have a special now where you can try Audible and get two free audiobooks.  Audible has more selection than hoopla, but after a 30 day trial it does cost $14.95 per month.  I might figure out 2 books on my to-read list that aren’t offered by the library and give it a try…

 

-5-  Say Goodbye to Survival Mode

Speaking of hoopla,  I just finished listening to Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine.

I’ve followed her blog, Money Saving Mom, for years.  SGTSM is constructive without being preachy, and I took away some good ideas to help me be better at life.  Definitely worth the read, err– listen.

 

 

 

-6- Questions to Ask Your Toddler

A friend posted this, and I couldn’t resist asking Moe.  I decided to type exactly what he said in response.  The girls were asleep, so it was just me and Moe at 10:00 at night.

How old are you? 3
When is your birthday? March 15
How old is Daddy? 5
How old is Mommy? 5
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is red and blue and green and pink.
What is your favorite food? Everything.  I like bread, bacon, toast, a bread, bacon, eggs. What are you smiling about?  (Apparently he’s a breakfast guy.)
Who is your best friend? Everyone
What is your favorite show? Magic School Bus
What is your favorite movie? (in an exasperated way) Just Magic School Bus
What is your favorite song? On Top of Spaghetti
What is your favorite animal? Pumba (Hmmm…interesting since bacon was one of his favorite foods…)
What are you scared of? Aliens (How does he know about aliens?!?!)
What makes you happy? About that I have a toy computer (He does not, so I made him one.)
Where is your favorite place to go?  The bank when it’s not closed.  Is it open or not?  (with increasing intensity) Is Jimmy John’s open or closed?  Where’s Jimmy John’s?
What do you want to be when you grow up? A firefighter
What is Mommy’s favorite thing to do? Watch a mommy and daddy movie 
What is daddy’s favorite thing to do? Watch a mommy and daddy movie with you

-7- A Staycation to Africa

Based on our wild success with traveling to Australia from our living room, we decided to take another trip to Africa!  When I mentioned this to a dear friend, I could already tell what she was thinking.  Africa is a continent made of 54 countries with diverse climates, natural resources, and traditions.  I hear you.

I am going to be honest – – my knowledge of Africa is pretty much contained in this stream of consciousness list:

elephants, lions, safari, giraffes
apartheid, blood diamonds, Nelson Mandela
Egypt, pyramids
khaki shirts, sunglasses, machine guns
Liberia, civil war, relocated slaves
Rwanda, genocide
Sudan, genocide
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Somalia, starving children
The Lion King, Hakuna Matata
Jambo

There.  My ignorance is laid out for the world to see.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t have much of a foundation to build on, but I have learned so much from the children’s books we’ve checked out of the library!  I can’t wait to share some of the stories that have helped reshape or at least fill in the blanks in my perception of Africa.  The kids are already planning what foods we want to try for our celebration. Stay tuned!

 

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